Red Beans & Rice

I will be posting recreations of some of my favorite Cajun and Creole dishes. I really like flavorful foods and especially enjoy the Cajun and Creole flavors. New Orleans is hands down one of the best food cities. Only problem for me...Most dishes are not vegetarian friendly. My red beans and rice can be made vegetarian or even vegan by using meat replacement products or with meat for you meat eaters. Remember spice doesn't mean heat it means flavor, this recipe doesn't pack much heat, but if you feel it's a little too much for your taste buds you can scale back on the cayenne pepper or if you like the heat add a little more. 

Red Beans and Rice

8 oz of red beans (half of a 16 oz bag that you can buy in most grocery stores)
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 pkg vegetarian sausages or regular andouille sausage, sliced and slightly browned (for us vegetarians I use the Lightlife Chorizo Style or Smoked Style)
2 cans vegetable stock or chicken stock (about 15 oz each can)
2 teaspoons minced garlic (I use the kind in the jar)
2 teaspoon paprika ( I like Penzeys smoked paprika)
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 teaspoons sea salt
1 Tablespoon dried basil
Water
Rice  (Cooked separately. I use Basmati Rice)

Sort and soak beans in a pot overnight in enough water that covers the beans by about 2 inches.
Drain water and add beans back to the pot.
Add enough water to the beans to cover the beans by about 3 inches.
Add 2 cans of stock and all the spices/seasonings.
Bring to a boil, depending on your stove this could be high or medium/high and cook covered for about 1 hr keeping an eye on the liquids. You can add a little water if needed.
Stir and add remaining ingredients.
Simmer (low or medium low depending on stove) covered for about 4 hours, occasionally stirring and checking liquid level.
You'll know it's done when beans are tender and the liquid is a thicker consistency.

Cook rice according to package instructions and serve red beans over the hot rice.

Note that you could cook this in a crock pot. It would need at least 8 hrs to cook and you would need to keep an eye on the liquids.